Auxiliary spring closing device



Jan. 13, 1959 A. s. cAswELL AUXILIARY SPRING CLOSING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1957 f MM o o o oval@ IN VE N TOR fam/M f off/afa @vae/fm Jan. 13, 1959 A. s. cAswELl. 2,868,330

AUXILIARY SPRING CLOSING DEVICE I Filed March 29, 1957 4 SheetS-Sheet 2 Jan. 13, 1959 A. s. cAswELL. 2,868,330

AUXILIARY SPRING CLOSING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 13, 1959 A. s. cAswELL 2,868,330

AUXILIARY SPRING CLOSING DEVICE Filed March 29, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 w In United States Patent O AUXILIARY SPRING CLOSING DEVICE Arthur S. Caswell, Glenside, Pa., assiguor to ITE Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 29, 1957, serial No. 649,521 17 claims. (ci. 18s- 37) My invention relates to an auxiliary closing device for electric circuit breakers and, more particularly, to an auxiliary closing device which can close and latch a power circuit breaker against an energized power line.

In certain situations the electrical control power ncrmally relied on for the closing of a circuit breaker may be unavailable. Frequently, during such situations, 1t is necessary that the breaker be closed against an energized line in order to restore service over the line. Because of the high magnetic opposing forces which may be produced when a large circuit breaker is closed against an energized high power line, it is neither practical nor safe to rely upon a manually operated device for such closing operation. For properly performing such a closing operation the device relied upon must be capable of 1mparting to the contacts of the `breaker such -force and speed to drive the contacts closed at high speed even against short circuit forces.

In the past auxiliary circuit breaker closing devices have been provided which usually relied on a compressed gas in some form wherein the energy stored or imparted to the compressed gas is subsequently transferred to the mechanical linkages for operating the circuit breaker contact.

This, however, introduces problems in gasketing and careful maintenance because of the inherent properties of the compressed iluids.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a novel auxiliary closing device which utilizes the stored power of a spring wherein the spring can be easily charged and can be discharged from a remote point when connected to the circuit breaker.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a novel spring closing device which is easily connected to a circuit breaker and requires no outside source of power.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel auxiliary spring closing device which must be fully ers which utilizes mechanical linkages only, and does not require the use of compressed fluids.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel spring closing device which is connectable to a circuit breaker for closing thereof, is contained within a single assembly, and may be remotely operated.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an auxiliary spring closing device which must be fully charged before it can be operated.

These and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows my novel invention in a partially section and partially plan view.

Figure 2 is a front view of Figure l partially in section and partially in plan view.

Figure 3 is a top view of Figures 1 and 2 and particularly illustrates the operating crank mechanism.

Figure 4 is a view of Figure 3 when taken across the y 2,868,330 Patented Jan. 13, 1959 CC t' f2 lines 4-4 and particularly illustrates the latching mechanism.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure l when taken across the lines 5 5.

Figure 6 is a top View of the output link of my novel mechanism when it is in position to engage the manual operating arm of the circuit breaker.

Figure 7 shows the pivotal connection between two of the operating links of my novel device.

Figure 8 shows a side View of the latch shaft utilized in my invention.

Figure 8a shows the top View of the anchor mechanism of Figures l and 2 for fastening my novel spring closing device to a circuit breaker which is to be operated.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view taken across the ,lines 9-9 of Figure 4 and particularly illustrates the manner in which the latch Shaft cooperates with the operating crank mechanism.

Figure l0 schematically illustrates my novel invention when the circuit breaker is in its closed position and the spring is discharged.

Figure ll illustrates the device of Figure 10 when the latch shaft is moved to a latched position and prior to the charging of the spring. l

Figure l2 is similar to Figures l() and 'll and shows my novel spring closing device with the spring in the fully charged position prior to tripping of the closing device and operation of the circuit breaker.

Referring now to Figures l and 2, my novel auxiliary spring closing device is mounted on floor runners 20 and 22 (Figure 2) which support an axle member 24 having wheels 26 and 28 connected thereto. A supporting cradle 30 is yfastened to runners 20 and 22 by the bolt members 32 and 34 respectively, the cradle 30 supporting the cylindrical housing 36 which contains a portion of the spring operating mechanism.

More specifically, cylindrical housing 36 is fastened to the cradle 3d by a screw fastening means 38 and 40 which maintain the lower end of cylindrical housing 36 against the upper surface of cradle drical housing 36 is closed by a plate member 42 (Figures l and 4) having an aperture therein for passing an operating shaft, as will be described hereinafter. The upper end is capped by a bell shaped member 44, the bell shaped member benig fastened to plate 42, as seen best in Figure 3, by screw means such as screws, 46, 43 and 5t), as well as screw 52, seen in Figure 4.

A central partition 54 is provided in housing 36, as shown in Figures l and 2, which acts to seat the bottom of piston 55, the upper surface of which seats the bottom v'of coaxial operating springs 56 and 58.

lf desired, spring 56 could be a right-hand spring, while spring 53 would be a left-hand spring. The upper end of springs 56 and 58, as may be seen in Figures l, 2 and 4, rests against the upper plate 42 to thereby bias piston 55 downwardly and against partition 54 which acts as a stop.

A hollow rod 60 which is internally threaded is fastened to the top of piston 55 so as to be axially movable therewith. Furthermore, the piston plunger 6i) has a length which is less than the length of springs 58 or 56 when in their fully compressed position so that the piston plunger will not strike plate 42 when the springs are charged.

The bottom or piston plunger 60, as best seen in Figures l and 2, protrudes through a centrally located aperture in partition 54 and is connected to an intermediate link 62 which link is subsequently pivotally fastened to member 64 by the pin connection including pin 66, as best seen in Figure 5.

The internally threaded portion of rod 60 is threadably engaged by the bottom portion of operating shaft 30. The upper end of cylin- 68 which, as is seen inFigures 4, 8 and 9, comprises a first section 70 which is threaded 'to engage the internal threads of member 60 and has an upper rectangular portion 72 which is slidably movable Within a rectangular opening of crank shaft'74, as-is 'best seen in Figure'9.

The crank shaft 74 is rotatably mounted within a bushing 7'6"fastened to plate 42, and extends through an .opening in bell-shaped member 4d and through a second 1bushing'78 supported thereby. The crank shaft is then connected to a crank arm 30, as seen in Figures 3 and 4,

which crank arm is terminated in a handle 82.

Thus, by rotating the handle'SZ crank shaft 74 is rotated on the bushings' 76 and78 to cause a rotation of operating shaft 68. in order to latch the operating shaft portion 72 the upper rectangular portion is provided with a reduced neck section 84 which is engageable by Vthe forked'latch member't which, as best seen in Figure 3, is supported by slot members 88 and 9@ which pass the holding bolts 92 and 94 connected to crank arm Si).

Thus, the forked latch member S6 will not latch the operating shaft 3d in the upper position when in the retracted position of Figure 4. When, however, the forked latch member 86 is moved forward, slot 96 (Figure 3) of latch member S6 engages the reduced neck portion 84 of latch member .86 (Figures l and 8), and the latch member will 'be maintained in this upward position.

As hasbeen heretofore described, the link 6d is operatively connected to tube 6d by link62 which is connected tothe bottom surface of piston plunger 55.

The opposite end of link 64, as seen in Figures 1 and 2, contains a latch roller 98 which is pivotally connected to .link 64 by the pivot pin 100. Latch roller 9S cooperates with latch plate 102 (Figure 1) which latch plate includes a stop block means 1M. Stop block means 104 controls the latch bite by controiling the maximum leftward displacement which roller 1d@ may have whcnpositioned on top ofthe latch plate in its latched position (seeFigure 12 for a schematic representation of the latch position).

The pivot pin 160 also pivotally connects the member or link 106 as seen in Figures l and 2 to the lower end of link 64. The link 1.06 protrudes through an opening n197 in housing 36 and is pivotally connected at its .outer end to a link 198 by the pivot pin 110 as seen in Figure '7.

A fixed pivot for link 1th? is provided by protruding ear '112.of Figure l which is fastened to the housing 36. The pivotal connection including pivot pin 11@ further includes a central member 114i which has a tapped hole .therein as seen .in Figure 7. This tapped hole receives the combined adjusting and connecting member 116 of Figure l which engages the pivotally mounted output member 118.

'More specifically, output member 118 is pivotally mounted on the ear 112 of housing 36 and as is best seen in Figure 6 pivotally mounts at an outer end thereof a member 12b having a tapped opening 122 therein for .threadably receiving member 116. Therefore, by threading member 116 through the aperture 122 of member 120 and thereafter into the aperture of member 114, (Figure '7 connected to link 166, it is clear that member 10.6 is operatively connected to the output member 11%.

Furthermore, the relative positions of links Miti and 11S are readily controlled or adjusted by varying the `length of member 116 protruding through aperture 122 of Figure 6 before threadably engaging member 11d (Figure 7) of link 106.

The reset spring 124 is then connected at one end to a portion of the link 1% as shown in Figure l and has its opposite end connected to a second protruding ear 1,26 of `housing 36. Spring l124i is normally in compression and therefore tends to rotate link litt in a clockwise direction to thereby bias link 106 to the left and bias `latch roller 93 into engagement with the latch stopV block 104.

An, anchor mechanism as seen in Figures 1, k2, .and .8a

d with member 146.

.of latch plate 102, it is provided with a protruding V,pin

which will anchor my novel spring closing device to a circuit breaker which 'is vto fbe operated thereby includes the pivotally mounted members 128 and 130 (Figure 2) which are pivotally mounted to floor runners 20 and 22. By way of example, members 128 are pivotally mounted to floor runner 20 by pivot pin 130. Referring only to anchor members 123, it -is Vseen that they have fastened thereto a .stop blockmember 132 which receives an adjusting screw 134. The end of the adjusting screw 134 abuts against the "oor runner 20 and operates to raise or lower -the anchor arm assembly responsive to `being threaded into and out of the stop'block '132.

Afurther bridging member 136, as seen in .Figures 8a and l then straddles the member 128 forming the anchor arm support.

lt is assumed that the breaker has a front wheel support member 138 as best seen in Figures l and 8a. Therefore, when fastening my novel auxiliary closing device to the breaker, the adjusting screws are turned :to vput the anchor structure in the position shown in `.the dottedlines in Figure l so that the anchor assembly will pass underneath the front wheel support member .136. Once 'the anchor arm is in registry with the front wheel support 133 the adjusting screwsvare operated to bring Ltne anchor assembly back to the position sho-wn in 'the solid lines whereby members 136 and 132 straddle the front wheel support 133 and rigidly maintain the `auxiliary spring closing device in engagement with the circuit breaker.

The circuit breaker as further shown in Figure 1 has a protruding .manual operating handle Mtl having an engaging pin E42 (see Figure 6) which is engageable by the lower surface of the output link 118 of the spr-ing closing device. While this manual output shaft '149 could be of any type, it is assumed for illustrative 'purposes, that output link 14d is pivotally mounted at a pivotal point 142 within the circuit breaker whereby a clockwise rotation of manual operating .handle will cause a manual closing of the circuit breaker contacts.

The latch Vplate 102 which has been previously described as receiving the latch roller 98 `is positioned against its lower support member 146 which is fastened to the housing 36 by screw members engaging ear '126. Compression spring 1158 which is held within the vlatch stop lock 104 then braces latch plate into engagement In forder to prevent linear motion 15b which cooperates with a slot 152 in support member 146.

The outer end of latch plate 1612 is connected to an operating link 154 as seen :in Figures l and 3 and the 4opposite end of link 154 is connected -to an operating lever '156 which is pivotally connected to .extension 153 of plate 42. Thus by rotating operating lever 156 ina .clockwise direction, latch plate 102 will be vtilted in a clockwise direction against the bias of spring 148 so as to cause latch .roller 98 to roll off the latch plate when it is in its latched position.

in order to simplify a description of the operation of my novel spring closing device, I have shown the mechanism set forth in .Figures 1 through 9 in a schematic form 4in Figures l0, ll and l2, and a description of operation will lbe given therewith.

Figure 10 shows the mechanism in the same position as that of Figures l through 9, namely with the circuit breaker in its closed position and the spring emergency closing device being discharged.

it will. now be `assumed that the circuit breaker is in its open position (see Figure l2 where the operating handle 14.0 'is displaced upwardly) and it yis desired to close the circuit breaker by means of my novel spring dev-ice, It is vfurthe).- assumed that the spring closing device is in its discharged position 4as shown in' Figure 11.0. Prior `to connecting `the spring closing device to theicircuit breaker, crank-,arm 82 of Fi-gure lOiis rotatedzin acounter- .clockwise direction so 'that the lower "threaded-portion At the same time, shaft 62 which is fastened to piston 55 will pull the link 64 upwardly until the latch roller 98 seats itself upon the latch plate 102 and against the latch stop block 104, and is maintained in this latched position by the reset spring 124. Thus, the mechanism moves into the position shown in Figure 12.

The spring closing device is now moved into engagement with the circuit breaker by causing floor runners and 22 to straddle the circuit `breaker front wheel assembly and fasten the anchor arm assemblies into engage- `ment with the circuit breaker front wheel support as has been set forth above in conjunction with Figures 1, 2 and 8a.

In order to close the breaker latch member 86 is moved to the right and the upper end of operating lever 156 is pulled in a clockwise direction. Thus, the link 154 is pulled upwardly and causes the latch plate 102 to tilt in a clockwise direction- The force of closing springs 56 and 53 may then push latch roller 98 downwardly to unlatch the spring mechanism and subsequently allow the force of biasing springs 56 and 5S to be transmitted through links 124 and 116 to the output link 118 which will rotate in a counterclockwise direction to drive circuit breaker operating handle 140 to its closed position. Thus the complete mechanism will then assume the position shown in Figure 1() as well as in Figures 1 through 9.

If desired, the operating lever 18 `may be operated from` a remote position by a heavy cord of Sufficient length to allow the operator to be at a safe distance f away from the breaker in the event that it will close on a fault.

It is to be noted that the spring load can be released slowly by reversing the above described charging procedure. Furthermore, once the operating lever 156 is operated, all control of the operation is lost by the operator and the force of the closing springs is automatically transmitted to the operating'handle.

Although I have here described preferred embodiments of my invention, many modifications and variations will now be obvious to those skilled inthe art and I prefer therefore to be limited, not by the specific description herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said `operating member between a rst and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said first position to said second position, the circuit breaker contact associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring.

2. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said operating member between a rst and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy `of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said first position to said second position; said output member transferring said stored energy of said spring means to said circuit breaker operating mechanism for operation thereof, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breakeroperating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring.

3. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit. breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said operating member between a first and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said first position to said second position; said unlatching means being operable from a remote` position, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring.

4. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to Said. output member for operating said operating member between a iirst and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said rst position to said second position, 'the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored en ergy of said spring; lsaid latching means beingoperative to latch said spring means only when said spring means is fully charged.

5. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said operating member between a rst and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said rst position to said second position; said output member transferring said stored energy of said spring means to said circuit breaker operating mechanism for operation thereof, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of `said spring; said unlatching means being operable from a remote position; said latching means being operative to latch said spring means only `when. said spring means is fully charged.

A6. An `auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary spring :closing device :comprising an output member constructed to be'operativelyconnectableSto a circuit breaker koper-,ating mechanism; latchable mechanism and a'spring driving means; said latchablemechanism Vinterconnecting said output member yand said :spring driving means; means for charging said spring and cooperating latch means for latching said latchable mechanism when said spring is charged to maintain said spring in said charged condition; and means for unlatching said latch means when said springl is charged to allow said charged spring to operate said output member operatively connectable .to said circuit breaker operating mechanism, the circuit breaker contacts associated lwith said circuit breaker `operating mechanism being `operated by the stored energy of said spring.

7. An auxiliary spring closing zdevice; said auxiliary springzclosing `device comprising an output member iconstructedto be operatively connectable =to a `circuit breaker `oper-ating mechanism; latchable mechanism and a spring ,driving means; said latchable :mechanism `interconnectingsaid output member `and said spring driving means; means for charging said spring and cooperating latch means for latching said latchable mechanism when 4said spring is .charged to maintain said .spring in said charged condition; and means for unlatching Vsaid latch means when said spring is charged to allow said charged .spring ymeans for charging said spring and cooperating latch means .for latching said latchable mechanism when said spring is charged to maintain said vspring in said charged condition; and means for unlatching said latch means when said spring is charged to allow said charged spring to operate said output member operatively connectable to -said circuit breaker operating mechanism, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said latchable mechanism comprising .a link having one end thereof connected to a movable yportion ot said spring driving means and its other end operatively connected to said output member.

9. An auxiliary spring closing device; ysaid auxiliary spring closing device comprising an .output member constructed to be operatively connectable to .a circuit breaker operating mechanism;.latchable mechanism and a spring driving means; said latchable mechanism interconnecting said output member and said spring driving means; means for charging said spring and cooperating latch means .for latching said latchable mechanism when said spring is charged to maintain said spring in said vcharged condition; and means for unlatching said latch means when said .spring is charged to allow said charged spring to operate said output member operatively connectable to said .circuit breaker operating mechanism; said means for operating said latch being operable from a remote point, 'the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by vthe vstored energy of said spring; said latchable mechanism comprising a link having one end thereof `connected to a movable portion of said vspring ydriving means and its other end operatively connected to said output member.

l 10. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said springend a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said'operating member between Va first and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition `when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means yis in said charged condition to move said output member from vsaid first 'position to said second position, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said latch means comprising a latchable linkage having one end thereof connected to a movable portion of said spring means and its other end operatively connected to said output member.

ll. In an auxiliary spring `closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breakeroperating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said operating `member between a first and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said iirst position to said second position, the lcircuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored `energy of said spring; said latch means comprising a latchable linkage having one end thereof connected to amovable portion of said spring means and yits other end operatively connected to said output member; said charging means comprising manually operable means engaging said linkage and operable to move said linkage to charge said spring and latch said linkage.

12. An auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary spring closing device comprising an output member constructedto be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism; latchable mechanism and a spring driving means; said latchable mechanism interconnecting said output member and said spring driving means; means for charging said Vspring and cooperating latch means for latching said latchable mechanism when said spring is charged to maintain said spring in said charged condition; and Ameans for unlatching said vlatch means when said spring is charged to allow said charged spring to operate said output member operatively connectable to said circuit breaker operating mechanism,.the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism 'being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said means for operating said latch being operable from a remote point; said latchable mechanism comprising a link havingone end thereof connected to a movable portion of saidV spring driving means and its other end operatively connected to said output member; said means for operating said latch being operable from a remote point.

13. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output Vmember constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means 'for charging said spring vand a latching means; said spring means being operatively Vconnected to said output member for operating said operating member between a first and vsecond position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to aliow the 'stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is inl said charged condition to move said output member from said first position to said second position, the circuit breaker contacts associated with sait? circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said latch means comprising a latchable linkage having one end thereof connected to a movable portion of said spring means and its other end operatively connected to said output member; said charging means comprising manually operable means engaging said linkage and operable to move said linkage to charge said spring and latch said linkage; said manual operating means being movable to a first position independently of said linkage and latchable in said tirst position, said manual operating means being thereafter operable for said charging of said spring.

14. In an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said operating member between a first and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said first position to said second position, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said charging means for charging said spring comprising manually operable means threadably engaging a cooperating threaded member fastened to a movable portion of said spring.

15. ln an auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary closing device including an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism, a spring means, a charging means for charging said spring and a latching means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output member for operating said operating member between a first and second position; said latching means being positioned to latch said spring means in a charged condition when said charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow the stored energy of said spring means when said spring means is in said charged condition to move said output member from said first position to said second position, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said charging means for charging said spring comprising manually operable means threadably engaging a cooperating threaded member fastened to a movable portion of said spring; said threaded members being rotated with respect to one another by said manual operating means until said spring is drawn to said charged condition and said latch means latches said spring insaid charged condition; said latch means being operable from a remote point for allowing discharge of said spring and operation of said circuit breaker operating mechanism by said output member.

16. An auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary spring closing device comprising an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker mechanism, a spring means, :t spring charging means and a latch means; said spring means being operatively connected to said output means to impart motion thereto for operating a circuit breaker operating mechanism when said spring means is discharged from a charged condition; said charging means being constructed to charge said spring, said latch means being constructed to latch said spring in said charged condition when said spring charging means charges said spring, and means for unlatching said latch means to allow discharge of said spring means when said spring means: is latched in said charged condition, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said charging means comprising crank means having an operating crank and a crank shaft; one end of said crank shaft being threadably connected to one end of said sprmg, rotation of said crank means in one direction compressing said `spring against a stop means positioned at the opposite end of said spring to charge said spring; said crank shaft being axially movable with said threadably connected end of said spring when said latch means is defeated and said spring is in said charged condition to allow said spring to move said spring to said discharged position; rotation of said crank in an opposite direction moving said crank toward said discharged position.

17. An auxiliary spring closing device; said auxiliary spring closing device comprising an output member constructed to be operatively connectable to a circuit breaker operating mechanism; latchable mechanism and a spring driving means; said latchable mechanism interconnecting said output member and said spring driving means; means for charging said spring and cooperating latch means for latching said latchable mechanism when said spring is charged to maintain said spring in said charged condition; and means for unlatching said latch means when said spring is charged to allow said charged spring to operate said output member operatively connectable to said circuit breaker operating mechanism, the circuit breaker contacts associated with said circuit breaker operating mechanism being operated by the stored energy of said spring; said means for charging said spring comprising a crank means having an operating crank and a crank shaft, one end of said crank shaft being threadably connected to one end of said spring driving means, rotation of said crank means in a first direction cornpressing said spring driving means against a stop means positioned at the opposite end of said spring, the crank shaft of said crank means being latchable whensaid spring is fully charged; said crank shaft being slidably movable with respect to said operating crank to allow said crank shaft to move with said movable end of said spring driving means when said spring is discharged.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,614,489 Saxby Oct. 21, 1952 2,760,025 Van Sickle Aug. 21, 1956 2,773,484 Peek Dec. 11, 1956 

